South Asia
Japan-Bangladesh Cooperation Sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas is possible only if democracy is restored in Myanmar: Japan
Dhaka, November 25: Japan's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Takei Shunsuke said that sustainable repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingya will be possible after the restoration of democracy in Myanmar. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Japan said this during a courtesy meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban on Wednesday evening.
The Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs said that Japan supports Bangladesh on the Rohingya issue. In response, the Prime Minister said that Japan can talk to Myanmar about Rohingya repatriation. "He (Japan's state minister) said that sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas must wait for democracy."
Prime Minister's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim said this in a briefing after the meeting.
Sheikh Hasina said Rohingyas have become a heavy burden for Bangladesh. Because, they have spent five years seeking refuge in Bangladesh and their numbers are increasing due to the birth of new babies in the camp.
She said, the biggest thing is that many of the Rohingyas are involved in drug and arms trafficking. They (Rohingya internal groups) are fighting and killing each other.
The Prime Minister said, Myanmar should take back their citizens. She mentioned the wonderful relationship between Bangladesh and Japan and said that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman laid the foundation of this relationship. She said that the relationship between Japan and Bangladesh is developing at an increasing rate.
The Prime Minister recalled Japan's contribution to the reconstruction of devastated Bangladesh during the Liberation War and immediately after independence. She recalled Japan's cooperation in Bangladesh's development efforts and said they are still working on various development projects in Bangladesh, including Matarbari and Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport's third terminal.
The Prime Minister described late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as a 'great friend of Bangladesh'. Meanwhile, Japan's state minister said, '"apan is proud to be Bangladesh's development partner. Japan will continue to support Bangladesh in its development efforts."
He said that he visited Bangladesh five years ago and was amazed at the massive development of Bangladesh in the last five years under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
